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HISTORICAL RECOLLECTIONS, 



DISCOURSE, 



DELIVERED AT LEBANON. N, H. 



rHANKSGIVING DAY, NOVEMBER 35» 1830 : 

EMBKACINO THE LEADING EVENTS IW THE 

CIVIL AND ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY 

TO THE CLOSE OF RET. ISAIAH POTTER'S MINISTRY. 

/ 
BY PIIINEHAS COOKE, 

Pastor of the Congregational Church in Lebanon. 

PUBLISHED BY REQUEST OF THE CHURCH. 



CONCORD : 

PRINTED BY ASA M'FARLAND 
1831 = 



'}'!- 



25 /'On 




THANKSGIVING SERMON 



DEUTERONOMY, 8: 2. 

" And thou shall remember all the way which the Lord thy God led thee 
these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to 
know what ivas in thine heart, whether thou icoiddest keep his commaTtd- 
ments ornoy 

The usual way the pions mind pursues to strengthen its confidence 
in God, is to recall former dispensations of divine providence, and 
thence derive motives for future trust. Moses, in the chapter includ- 
ing the text, avails himself of this circumstance, to induce Israel to con- 
fide in God, and render obedience to his commands. They were at a 
stage in their journey, where the account of God's merciful dealings 
with them was calculated to elicit their devout gratitude. They had 
filled up their forty yeiirs in Uie wilderness, and stood on the bank of 
Jordan, a favorable land-mark where to record the first portion of their 
history, on their way to the promised land. To refresh their remem- 
brance, their leader recites some cf the most interesting providences 
of God towards them and their fathers, that they might in future set 
their hope in God. This should be a leading object in all historical 
recollections.. With this distinctly in view, let us trace the former 
-dealings of God with the inhabitants of this town, and see if we do not 
find motives of renewed confidence in our heavenly Father, and oc- 
casion for sincere regret, that he has been served no better. 

In doing this, I purpose to review our civil and ecclesiastical history in 
separate order. The charter granting civil immunities to this town is 
dated July 4, 1761, in the first year of the reign of George III. ; just 
fifteen years before the declaration of American Independence. The 
number of Grantees was sixty-two. The majority of these at the time 
resiipdat Mansfield, Connecticut, where several of tiie first proprie- 
tors' meetings were holden. Their first meeting is dated October 6, 
1761, in which Mr. Nehemiah Estabrook presided as moderator, and 
Mr. John Salter was clerk. The date of the charter is the same with 
Plainfield, in this vicinity, two years earlier than Cornish, aad three, 
than Claremont. niis accounts for a committee appointed by the pro- 
prietors, September I, 1762, composed of Capt. Nathaniel Hall, INIr 
John Hanks, and Mr. John Birchard, '' to lay out a horse-road from <hc 
'.»ld Jorl IS'o 4, no'.v Chailsalcwn. fo Lebanon,'' Sixty- eight jeais f?gc 



4 

Ine country between this and Charlestown was not sufficiently open to 
admit the passage of a horse. How the wilderness has become a fruit- 
iiil field, and thedcsert a fold, tor flocks and herds ! 

The settlement in this town began near Connecticut river; and the 
first families with their effects came in boats fromCharlestoWn.* Such 
enterprize, manifested in the settlement of new countries, I do not say is 
peculiar to Americans ; but I think no nation has ever discovered more 
bold and persevering marks of it, than arc to be found in our own his- 
tory. Instead of settling the place adjoining the one already occupi- 
ed, it was no uncommon thing at that day, for a few families to advance 
into the wilderness fifteen or twenty miles beyond any other settlement, 
and there commence the attack on the forest. This was in many re- 
spects the fact with the first settlers in Lebanon. 

It was evidence of no small courage for a few families, at that day, td 
plant themselves in the woods, insulated and remote from neighbors, 
where savage beasts had not yielded their possession to the dark forest, 
rtnd where savage men had not been driven from their lurking places. 
These perils of the wilderness were borne with that fortitude by the 
lathers, which it is not certain would be found in their children, should 
they be placed in similar circumstances. 

In the winter of 1762, four men hazarded the undertaking to reside 
in the western part of the town. Their names were Levi Hyde, Sam- 
uel Estabrook, William Dana ; the name of the other not ascertained. 
During a severe snow storm, Mr. Dana came near perishing, while ab- 
sent from his companions to feed their oxen at a place called Beaver 
Meadoio. It is said a man came to them from the north during the 
winter, having deserted from the British garrison. 

The next year several families came in from Connecticut. Mr. Wil- 
liam Downer with his wife and eight children arrived here July 1 1 , 1763, 
and were the first family that came to the place. In the autumn of that 
year, Oliver Davidson, Elijah Dewey and James Jones, arrived with 
their families. All these spent the following winter, and no lives were 
lost. It is evident a merciful providence shielded these men, women 
and children from the wintry blasts, and deep snows of those days, 
when they were so poorly provided with comfortable habitations. | 

The two following years several families more came from Mansfield, 
Lebanon, and other towns in Connecticut. Those who arrived be- 
tween the years 1761 and 1766, may properly be considered the first 
settlers. Besides those already named, we find the following : Na- 

* To this place, for some time the first settlers were obliged to go for their 
millinc;. And on one occasion, owing to the miits not being in ordei, they were 
obliged to go to Montague, Mdss., a distance of f)0 miles. The voyage (Cm th.r 
inan'went by water) was performed in twenty-one d<-?y?. His family, and oth- 
clT, sn might well be expected, anxious for his' return, began to conclude he was 
drowned. M length Hie r-^nop arrived, freighted with a carg-o most welcome 'o 
ihe v,.hM" r.jiDny. 



& 

thaniel Porter, Asa Kilburu, Samuel Meacham, Josepli Dana, Jona- 
than Dana, Huckin Storrs, Silas Waterman, Jedediah Hibbard, Charles 
Hill, John Wheatley, Jesse Cooke, Zalmo« Aspinwall, ^Joseph Wood, 
James Hartshorn, and Nathaniel Storrs. 

The tirst town meeting, of which any record remains, was Septem- 
ber 12, 1765, in which John Wheatley presided. Were I to single out 
an individual, to whom thi.s town, in its early days, was specially indebt- 
ed for his exertions in its belialf, I would name John Wheatley, Esq. 
He was the first town clerk ; for nearly twenty years, the first civil 
magistrate ; the first school-master, and the first representative under 
the present constitution of New Hampshire. To all his acknowledged 
qualifications for civil life, v.as added piety, and such religious gifts aa 
made him a suitable person to lead in the meetings of the Church, in 
tlie absence of the minister. He was the first man who fixed his hab- 
itation amidst the lofty pines on this plain, where has since risen this 
pleasant and flourishing village. 

During this year the orave ijanl in the west part of the town was 
laid out, on land belonging to Mr. Charles Hill. It is said to be the old- 
est north of Charlestov/n. The first adidt buried in it, was IVIr. Oli- 
ver Davidson ; the first young man, INIr. Ezra Perkins. Previously to 
the interment of these, two or three children are said to have died in 
tov/n. What a multitude since have been gathered to the congrega- 
tion of the dead .'' Our fathers, where are they ? The places partic- 
ularly appropriated for the dead, now in town, are five. The town is 
said never to have been visited v/ith an epidemick. Ihc annual num- 
ber of deaths have probably been one to eighty-five, or ninety inhab- 
itants. 

The first school regularly organized v.as in I7C8. It was kept in a 
log school-house, east of the present residence of Capt. Joseph Wood, 
in what is now district No. 3, In 1775 there were four school districts. 
Now there arc sixteen, and the average number of scholars attending 
during the last winter (1830) was 615. 

About theyear 1770, tlic families in town v/cro numbered, and found 
to be forty-two, containing one hundred and ninety-five souls. This niim- 
bering was made to asccitairi the relative distance of each family from 
the spot contemplated as the site of a inecitvg-housc. The first house 
of worship was erected in 1772, and stood a little west of the old grave 
yard. Some years after, it was removed, and rebuilded on the hill near 
Elihu Hyde's, that it might be more central to the increased popula- 
tion. It was here occupied until the one now standing en the common 
was built, in the year 1792. 

In r»larch, 1771, the tovv-a voted to give a portion of their territory 
^djoiniuij Hanover, rontamirg 1 140 nrrrs, to Dr. E'cazrr V»"heCiockV> 



6 

school, should such schuol be established. This land is still the prop- 
erty of Dartmouth College, and is called the College Graitt. At that 
time it was the intention of the venerable founder of Dartmouth Col- 
lege to form a parish, including the above giant and College plain, by 
the name of Dresden, which in fact was the name given to it for a 
number of years. For some reason no incorporation was obtained, and 
the plan failed. 

Owing to the above grant, but especially to the contiguity of the two 
places, there has ever been an endeared connection between this town 
and the seat of learning in its neighorhood. Many of our sons * have 
availed themselves of a public education, and some have reflected hon- 
or on their Jllma Maicr. 

The days now came on in the history of this town, and of our coun- 
try, which emphatically tried men's souls. The colonies were assailed 
with war — war with one of the most powerful nations on the globe. 
This direful calamity, though it first fell on the more vulnerable points 
of the nation, socn reached, in its various bearings, every family in the 
land. The firing at the battle of Bunker Hill was literally heard in 
this, and the adjoining towns. Never did air become the vehicle of 
greater alarm. Over hills and mountains, through valleys and plains, 
the hollow murmur creeps, to tell the children of the Pilgrims their lib- 
erties must be purchased with their blood. 

With peculiar weight did these trials fall on the new .settlements. 
They were compelled to exchange the axe for the fire-arms, the plough- 
f^hare for the sword, before the land had yielded scarcely a competency 
for themselves and their families. The names of Lulhcr Whealley^ Ed- 
vmrd Slapp, Eleazcr Malhcr Porter, David Millingion, and Capt. Joseph 
Eslabrook are mentioned as those who lost their lives by going into the 
war. Luther Wheatloy was mortally wounded in the battle near Still-- 
water, September 19, 1777, and died the 30th of the same month, aged 
17. In remembering all the way which the Lord thy God led thee 
these forty years in the wilderness, it will be profitable to reflect that 
the present peace and prosperity of this town is connected with the 
loss of some of its first citizens, whoce deaths helped to purchase the 
freedom we now enjoy. 

At the close of the war, the people of tiiis and several other towns 
lyinfT near the river, were perplexed awhile with their political relations, 
in 1773, a pamphlet was read in town meeting, containing the Consti- 
tution of Vermont ; whereupon it was voted unanimously to accept 
their government, and come under its jurisdiction. This connection 
did not last long, and was first broken ofl' by our sister State. In 1780, 

* About forty arc enrolled on the catalogue ending with the class of 1829.— 
\niong the first cthicalcMl, wc find the names of i:xperience Estabrook, Ez'-'kivi 
OllMirn. Elijah T^c^yrv. •^.nivv] ^v-c^.i. n X^ .'■■; " ,1,^, Hi.ni-, P P. 



" the town agreed to govern themselves according to the laws of Con- 
necticut, in those acts which refer to the peace and good order of 
towns." Here is seen a trait of character truly cstimahle. In those 
days, when there was no ruler in Israel, and every man did what was 
right in his own eyes, our fathers, instead of abandoning themselves 
to disorder and misrule, made what provision they could to maintain the 
peace of society. It was this moral principle — this disi)Osition to self- 
government^ which laid the foundation for our national compact. The 
sons of the Pilgrims, by birth, education and religion, were fitted for 
a republican government. For such a blessing they looked many years 
previous to the revolution. To obtain it, they fought and bled ; and to 
be prepared for its enjoyment, they suppressed the riot-stirring elements 
of passion in their own breasts. They united, at this time, with the in- 
habitants of Dresden, in appointing a Commiliee of Safety, to whose au- 
thority all disorderly persons were to be amenable. Mr. Bezaleol 
Woodward and Mr. Simeon Dewey, of the last named place, and 
Dea. Nehemiah Estabrook, of Lebanon, were the first committee of 
this kind. This committee was not deficient in p.ower, for it was ab- 
solute. They could depute any man at a moment's w'arning, and 
clothe him with all the authority of high Bailiff, and send him to appre- 
hend whom they pleased. When the prisoner was tried, and the de- 
cision passed, there was no appeal. Notwithstanding, they were 
poorly furnished with the means of punishment. No publick prison 
then to receive their convicts. They might indeed be, and proba- 
bly were, a terror to evil-doers, but were quite deficient in the usual 
implements of justice, to reward the wicked according to their works. 
In March, 1778, "the Committee of Safety, and the Selectmen, 
were authorized and instructed by the town to exert their influence to 
suppress tippling-hoiises.''' More than fifty years ago our fathers dis- 
covered a foresight highly creditable to them, that the free use of ar- 
dent spirit was injurious and destructive to the w^elfare and peace of 
society. At that day the ichole town might be considered a Temperance 
Society. Their vote clearly implied it. Their doings, it is presumed, 
excited no alarm that a union was designed between Church and 
State. During the last half century, the people in our country have 
freely indulged the opposite course, until intemperance has slain its 
thousands, and tens of thousands. Of late, a happy re-action has 
commenced, and the w^ise, the good and the patriotic, are uniting to 
redeem the land from this terrible scourge. That true wisdom has ad- 
vanced with the age of the world, is yet to be proved. In the year 
1779, soon after the burning of Royalton, Vt. by the Indians, the in- 
habitants of this town were much alarmed for fear the savages were 
about to attack Newbury, in the same State. Soldiers were raised 



8 

end sent north ia seouiiiig parties, while others were considered minute 
men, ready for any exigency tliat might occur. This alarm was of 
short duration, and was the last before peace was declared between us 
and Great Britain. 

The time now approached in the history of this town, and of New 
Hampshire, when a Constitution of government was to be formed, con- 
sonant to the principles of civil and religious freedom, for which they 
had, in common with their fellow-citizens, bore the mighty ^struggle in 
the war for independence. At the time the charter for this town was 
obtained, John Wentworth was Provincial Governor. The British 
government was dissolved in 1775, and the people formed a Provincial 
Convention, of which Matthew Thornton was President. In 1776, a 
temporary Constitution was framed, to continue during the war with 
Great Britain. Under this Constitution, Meshech Wearc was annu- 
ally elected President. A ijew and permanent Constitution took 
place in 1783, in the formation of which, this town, with the rest of the 
State, was invited to participate. Their first representative to the 
State Convention, as has been observed, was John Wheatley, Esq. 
The inhabitants of this town, with others at that day, were exceeding 
jealous of their rights, lest the government about to be organized 
should not guaranty their dear-bought liberties. This is discoverable 
in the instructions given their representative ; and on one occasion in 
recalling him. 

There is no period in the history of the American Republic, or of 
the individual States, more critical than when they were about to form 
for themselves civil government. While fighting their common foe,, 
they had the strongest motives for union. That variety of elements 
which composes society, will in such a case be drawn together, as with 
the force of chemical attraction. But when the common enemy is subdued, 
and a plan must be devised how they canbest protect and enjoy their dear- 
bought blessings, there appears what a celebrated statesman calls " the 
wilderness of free minds." To bring these minds to unite in a form of 
government, while they had such loose and undefined notions of legis- 
lation, required vastly more skill than to govern them in the ranks of 
an army. He, who allayed the storm of war, was pleased to hush 
into peace the mixed elements of society, and control the mass of 
mind, by the influence of patriotism, virtue, and religion. In a few 
years, the world, for the first time beheld the sublime spectacle of an 
extensive community, governing themselves by the gentle reins of a 
representative Republic. To behold America governing herself, was 
a more astonishing sight than to see her conquer her enemies. ,To 
an European st,atesman, the ease and promptitude with which this 
infant nation formed for themselvea a free and efficient government. 



9 

and Ihe happines-, they so soon enjoyed beneath its protection, was a 
phenomenon never before seen in the science of legislation. No 
doubt many eyes from abroad were looking for the destruction of a 
people by anarchy and intestine commotion, who could not bo sub- 
dued by arms. But the power that conquered, saved. The men 
who bought peace at so dear a rate, knew how to enjoy it ; while all 
the glory is due to Him who rules the destiny of nations ; causing the 
wrath of man to praise him, and restraining the residue. 

II. As proposed, let us now trace the ecclesiastical history of the 
town. 

In Dec. 17G2, before the purchasers came to the place, they ap- 
pointed a committee to treat with proprietors of townships adjoining, 
to unite with them, to make provision for the preaching of the gospel. 
Soon after, they voted a tax on each proprietor for the same purpose. 
Here is a movement in the first owners of Lebanon that deserves com- 
mendation. Behold a company of men in Connecticut, having pur- 
chased a township in New Hampshire, and about to commence its 
settlement, planning how they can have the gospel. And this, before 
a .single farm is cleared, or framed house erected. Like their puritan 
fathers, they must have iJic gospel in the wilderness. And where 
could they more need it ? Their fathers' God was their God ; the 
roligion of their lathers, their religion — Provision must be early made 
to adore the former, and enjoy the consolations of the latter. What 
has diminished the value of the gospel so much in view of some' of their 
descendants ? 

The first inhabitants did not come here merely to advance their 
worldly interests. Higher motives seem to be mixed with the enter- 
prize. Had they been assured that they would not have enjoyed the 
institutions of religion for a course of years, it is probable that many 
of them would not have left the sanctuary of their fathers at the time 
they did. In their emigration, one object was to extend the limits of 
the Church. The pious part imbibed a portion of the spirit of the 
FouxpER of the neighboring College, who came about, the same time 
from the same section of country ;* and whose leading object, it is well 
known, was to extend the boimdaries of the Redeemer's kingdom. 
Occasionally, in the first years of their pilgrimage, they heard the 
gospel from the lips of that good man, whose voice at the time, in the 
region around, reminds us of him, " who cried in the wilderness, 
prepare ye the way of the Lord, make Ins paths straight." 

The prosperity of this tov.n is more indebted to the regard for re- 
ligion manifested by the fathers, tlian perhaps some of their descend- 

* I.e!)anon, ^'onii 
I! 



10 

anJs imagine. It is tlie will of lieaven.. that every enterprize, sanc' 
tioned and sustained by tlie spirit of the gospel, shall be successful 
The prayers of pious parents cause the balmy dews of heaven to fall 
round the dv/ellings of their children, long after the lips which utter- 
ed them are shut up in death. 

The Church was organized, Sept. 27, 1768, in the presence of 
Rev. Bulkley Olcott, of Charlestown, and Rev. James Wellman, of 
Cornish. It was founded on the plan o( the pedo-baptist Churches of 
New England. In the preamble to their Covenant, they express 
themselves as follows : " As God, through the mediation of his Son, 
has erected for himself a Church and visible Kiv-gdom on earth, collected 
from such ruins of the apostacy, as return and fear him, and desire to 
pay a grateful remembrance to his Son, as their crucified Saviour: 
so we, sinftil dust and ashes, desire to subscribe with our hands unio 
the Lord, and give vp ourselves in an evei'lasting covenant to God. 
We esteem it an unspeakable privilege, that sinful dust and ashes may 
thus come and covenant tcith the great God, and he achnowhdgcd by 
him as his Church on earth.'^ At the close of this, follow several- 
articles, very similar to those which the Church now observe. They 
are subscribed by Joseph Dana, John Whcathy, Azariah Bliss, John 
Slapp, Jonathan Dana and Zaccheus Downer. 

June 24, 1772, a short time previous to the settlement of Mr. Pot- 
ter, a Confession of i^mV/i was adopted, embracing the various doc- 
trines, as received by the evangelical Churches of New England. 
These articles, the same in substance to those the Church now have, 
it will be seen are Calvinistic, or orthodox. The meaning of the lat- 
ter word is " sound in opinion and doctrine, not heretical." Doc- 
trines like these, the founders of the Church were not ashamed to 
acknowledge, whatever may be the opinion of some of their descend- 
ants. 

The Church, with the town, now began to look for a pastor. Sev- 
eral ministers were employed previous to Mr. Potter. We find the 
names of Niles, Treadway and Wales. To the latter they gave a call 
to settle, but he did not incline to accept. 

The Rev. Isaiah Potter, after two seasons of probation, was con- 
stituted the Pastor of this Church and people, August 25, 1772. He 
was ordained in the open air, on a stage erected for the purpose, on 
land adjoining Connecticut river, the west side of the road, near 
" Bayley's Ferry," The Sermon on the occasion was delivered by 
the Rev. Mr. Olcott, of Charlestown. By those present, the services 
were said to have been solemn and interesting. At the close, the 
newly constituted pastor afTectionately addressed his flock, especially 



11 

the younger part, exhorting them not to have any vain amusements, 
dancing and the like, for such recreations would be quite unsuitable 
with the religious services they had just witnessed. This, while it 
shows the spirituality of your first pastor, manifests that sense of pro- 
priety which the sober minded, both ministers and lay brethren, have 
ever exhibited. Men of reflection, laying no claims to piety, readily 
sec a most obvious incongruity in following religious scenes with 
thoughtless merriment. However incompatible such things are, the 
enemy of all good influences the thoughtless and the gay, to get up 
halls on the eve of ordinations, and during revivals of religion, that 
with a kind of maniac desperation he may shew his dislike to every 
thing holy. 

At a Church meeting, October 29, 1772, Joseph Dana was elected 
an officer in the Church, and was their first deacon. The first time 
the sacrament of the Lord's Supper was administered, was November 
15, 1772. Thus in nine years from the first settlement of the town, a 
Church was organized, a minister settled, and the ordinances of the 
gospel enjoyed. 

" Can God furnish a table in the wilderness ?" once inquired the un- 
believing Jews. For the faithful in Christ, such a table is furnished, 
not only with temporal, but with spiritual food. At an early day it was 
spread for the little band in this place. Our fathers at their first arri- 
val seem to have adopted the resolution of the Psalmist — " Surely 1 
will not come into the tabernacle of my house, nor go up unto my 
bed ; I will not give sleep to mine eyes, nor slumber to my eye-lids, 
until I find out a place for the Lord, an habitation for the mighty God 
of Jacob. Lo we heard of it at Ephratah, we found it in the fields ot 
the wood." Enclosed in the dark shades of the forest, they were seen 
by few eyes, except those of angels. In company with their altar and 
their God, they resembled the " Pilgrim Fathers," when they first en- 
joyed the holy ordinances in this western wilderness. 

March 24, 1775, Deacon Joseph Dana, advanced in life, resigned 
his ofiicc in the Church, and Nehemiah Estabrook and Jonathan Da- 
na v.ere chosen deacons in the Church. 

July 24, 1777, was observed by the Church as a day of fasting, hu- 
miliation and prayer, "on account of the distress of the war, and the 
:iear approach of the enemy after Ticonderoga was given up." 

They who estim.ate things merely by human reason, and weigh all 
events in earthly balances, and expect in the tug of war that victory 
will t©^ with the St ronger;t physical force, would in the days of the 
American revolution have concluded that the assailants in the end 
would be conquerors. But to (hc:-e who view fho subject in fho li^lil 



of justice, and know how deeply the pious in our land felt tlieir depen- 
dance on God, and while they fought bravely they prayed fervently, 
it is no mystery that the nation became free and independent. It is a 
decree of heaven that " righteousness exalteth a nation," and that oppres- 
sion and robbery shall not go unpunished. It is doubtful whether his- 
tory furnishes a parallel, since the Jews in their best state, where so 
much supplication was made to heaven during a war, as in the Ameri- 
can Churches. 

On the day of fasting just named, the members of the Church re- 
newed their covenant with God. October 12, 1781, the Church elect- 
ed Zaccheus Downer for one of their deacons ; and on the 18th of 
April fallowing, Theophilus Huntington was appointed to the same of- 
fice, in place of Dea. Dana removed from town. 

On April 28, 1782, occurred an event, on seme accounts the most 
remarkable this Church has yet witnessed. It was the gathering in the 
first fruits of a revival of religion, amounting to fifty-three persons. 
These were added in one day. Not long after, thirty-three more were 
added at one time. Considering the number of inhabitants then in 
town, which did not probably exceed 500, and it can hardly be suppos- 
ed that the like was to be found in New England. In these days of re- 
vivals, such additions in our large towns are no very common event. 
This highly interesting occasion made, as it ought to, a suitable impres- 
sion on the Church. We observe them at the time making public 
confession of their sins to God, and asking forgiveness of God and of 
each other. 

The remark, though common, is worth repeating, that a season of 
revival is a sifting time with professors. The Holy Spirit is near, and 
believers inquire. How shall we meet him .'' The answer is, " up, sanc- 
tify yourselves — stablish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord draw- 
eth nigh." Then commence deep self-examination and thorough 
heart-searchings. Then sin is viewed in the light of God's counte- 
nance, and discoveries are made which produce self-loathing. Then 
begins a mourning, on account of backslidings, like the mourning of 
Hadadrij^man. Then Christians abhor themselves on account of un- 
belief and remissness of duty. Did not the mem.bers of the Church 
humble themselves at such seasons, there would be wanting one im- 
portant evidence that a real work of grace was in operation. 

At the time the above were admitted, the members then belonging 
to the Church, and those previously added, amounted to 204. Con- 
sidering its infancy, there was probably not a more flourishing Church 
in this region. And we have the testimony of christian observers in 
other places that this was the fact. Its prosperity v/arrants the belief 
that it was built on the foundation of the prophets and apostles, Jesus 



1 t^ 

Christ himself being the chief corner stone. The evidence ia ulbo 
conclusive that the doctrine dispensed, was the faithful exhibition of 
the truth. The remark has been made by aged Clergymen, that at the 
time your first pastor was settled, the number of those denominated 
" revival ministers" in New Hampshire v.as less than ten ; and that 
he was one. By " revival minister" is understood one who considers 
(he greatest blessing attending his ministry to be a " season of refresh- 
ing from the i>rescnce of the Lord," resembling that on the day of 
Pentecost, and who would do all in his power to promote such a sea- 
son. There is evidence that a portion of the spirit of Edwards, Bel- 
lamy and Braincrd, dwelt in the first leader of this flock. 

That the Church endeavored strickly to maintain the discipline of 
God's house is equally evident. Their records plainly shew a holy 
concern, that the household of faith be kept from heretical sentiments 
and irreligious practices. "March 3, 1784, the Church voted that they 
consider it unbecoming in a profession of godliness, for young persons, 
professors, to practice frolicking and vain mirth ; likewise, for elderly 
persons to indulge in idleness, in foolish talking and jesting — that they 
will set a watch about them in future, and refrain." 

All consistant christians of this day fully concur in the above resolu- 
tion. " Let every one that nameth the name of Christ, depart from 
iniquity." 

In the year 1787, Deacon Jonathan Dana having returned to reside 
again in town, it was proposed to the Church by Deacon Huntington, 
that he be requested to accept his firmer office in tlic Church. It will 
be recollected that the latter was chosen in the place of the former, 
when he removed from town. That the proposal should come from 
Deacon Huntington to have Deacon Dana re-instated, when the con- 
sequences were his own retirement from oflice, discovers a temper be- 
coming a disciple of Chrisc. 

" Be kindly affectioned one to another v*ith brotherly love ; in hon- 
or preferring one another." "At a Church meeting, November 21, 
1788, Deacon Dana having removed from town the .second lime, the 
Church requested Deacon Huntington again to take his seat, and serve 
them as a deacon." " He that humblcth himself shall be exalted." 
Some time after this, the date not mentioned, Mr. Nathaniel Storrs was 
appointed a deacon. Those who have been named may be considered 
the early oflicers in the Church. 

It will be recollected, near the beginning of the history of the Church, 
that in its regulations it was denominated ^^ pedo-baptisl.'^ That its 
members scrupulously regarded infeuit baptism as an ordinance of the 
gospel, is evident from what appears on the records, in (he year 1786. 
A member having removed from town requested a dismission tor the 



14 

following reatiun — " That lie believed in believer'ss baptism, instituted 
by Christ for us to follow ;" meaning, as is supposed, that he held with 
the Baptirft denomination on this point. The church voted and sent 
him the following reply : " Our faith is the same as yours, we hold to 
none other but believer's baptism, ' instituted by Christ for us to fol- 
low ;' and that it is in faith only that believers are to give themselves 
and their seed to God in baptism, as Abraham, the father of the faith- 
ful, gave himself and his seed to God in the covenant of circumcision, 
that the blessing of Abraham might come on us Gentiles. But, Sir, if 
you reject believer's baptism to their infant seed, herein we think you 
reject an ordinance of God, in which you have covenanted to walk 
with this Church. We have no desire to control your conscience, 
but if you depart from your covenant obligation, in any divine ordi- 
nance, it must be at your own hazard, for ice have no power to absolve 
any one from covenant vov.'s. We wisii you divine direction, and that 
the spirit of truth may teach and lead you into all truth. 

Your fAends and brethren in the Chtirch^ Stc." 

From this letter, it seems the church adhered strictly to their first 
faith, and that they knev/ how to defend it. 

There is an event, recorded by a funeral sermon preached by Mr. 
Potter, which deserves a place in this account. ]Mr. Potter and three 
others, by the names of Chamhcrlam^ Currier and -Br?;T(', were ci-ossing 
the Mascoma River in a high freshet, a little north cf Hubbard's mill, 
April 16, 1798. By some means they lost the management of the 
canoe, and were drifting fast towards the falls belov/, when Blr. P. 
leaping into the stream, sv/am ashore ; Chamberlain and Currier were 
drowned. Bruce hanging to the canoe vrhile it v.ent over the falls, at 
length made his escape by swimming. As might be v.cll supposed, 
the event made a most deep impression on those preserved fiom a wa- 
tery grave, and on the inhabitants generally. The text on which the 
funeral discourse was founded, was in Job 1 : 19. — " Audit fell upon 
the young men, and they are dead ; and I only am escaped alone to 
tell thee."* 

* Extract from the Sermon. 
" While I tell you these things, you are to remember, llsat I have not only es- 
caped to tell you the young men are dead, but in coniiectioii with the serious event, 
as a minister of the gospel, to preach to you the great truth, in which you your- 
selves are most highly interested : that there is a God, in whose hand your life and 
breath is ; at whose disposal you are ; who is of purer eyes than to behold evil ; who 
judgeth the righteous, but who is angry vviih the wicked every day. I am to tell 
you that you are under the curse of the law, if you have not repented ; that your 
i'cet stand on slippery places, while yet in sin, and that your danger is great, and 
that you jnust repent, or perish. I am to tell you, this life is your probationary 
season to prepare for eternity ; tiiat beyond this life, there i.s a heaven for tl."? 
lighteous, into which they will enter, and dwell in the pvi'scuce of thair God, anJ 



16 

From this to the close of Mr. Potter's ministry, are recorded no 
events particularly deserving notice. Additions were frequently made 
to the Church, and the whole number who united during the above pe- 
riod, was 372. Out of this number have arisen twelve ministers of 
the gospel ; some of whom have been the favored instruments of budd- 
ing up large and flourishing churches. In this way ministers live m 
their successors, perpetuating the gospel seed through the long hne of 
successive generations, exemplifying that consoling promise, " Lo I 
am with you alvvay, even unto the end of the world." 

The faithful pastor who i.-j instrumental of raising up twelve others 
to dispense the word of life, multiplies himself twelve times. The 
church, while it exi:«ts on earth, is debtor to such a man. 

Mr. Potter retired from his public labors, Sept. 19, 18IG, having per- 
formed the arduous duties of minister to this people, forty-four years. 
About eleven months after, he departed this life, aged 7 1 . When he 
was ordained there were in town but 40 families. Two and half years 
after his death the number of inhabitants was 1710. 

More than forty years did your pious leader conduct you through 
the wilderness, until you arrived at a respectable civil and religious 
eminence. I'o say his influence was not p-eui and good in training this 
people fi-om infancy to manhood, would be an act of injustice to his 
memory, and ingratitude to God. The influence of a faithful servant 
of Christ forty years, commencing with an infant settlement, is im- 
mense. This influence is felt when the organ which exerted it is no 
more. It has a posthumous existence. Though the ininisier is dead 
the ministi'y lives. I see its eflects in the attachment to truth, apparent 
in a portion of this people. I see it in the existence of a Church, 
legitimate in its descent, steadfastly adhering to the sentim.ents and 
principles which constituted her glory in her brightest days. 

I see it amid many painful exceptions, in some pious youth, the 
offspring of a believing ancestor, who was trained by its precepts and 
ordinances. I see it among the aged, especially when some are brought 
to witness their faith in the hour of dissolution. Their piety seems 
like that of another age. It is faith of no sickly growth. It shows 
many points of alliance with that once delivered to the saints. O that 
I could see it more generally in the second and third generations. I 
pity the man, when questioned about the religion of himself and fam- 
ily, who can give no other answer than that his parents or grand- 
parents were pious. Shades of my ancestors ! let me never attempt to 

be happy forever ; and lliat tlicre is a hell, a place of unutterable torment and dis- 
tress, for tiie wicked who continue in sin, and will not come lo C hrist Jesns foe 
life ; and ail the time you live in sin on the earth, you are treasuring up wrath 
against the day of wrath, and the revelation of the righteous judgment of God."' 



borrow a short-lived reputaliou by namirg your virtue.", while my own 
conduct proves me unworthy such a lineage. 

It w ere indeed an lionour to form a link in that bright chain which 
connects the present generation with the pious founders of New Eng- 
land. It is believed such links may be found among us. 

I love to trace the unbroken line from some pious youth through his 
immediate and remote ancestors to the little band which composed the 
infant church in this town. From thence I follow it to a family in a 
distant State. There it passes from generation to generation, associa- 
ted Avith examples of piety, eminent in the church of God. Thence 
it runs to the early fathers of New England, and shows its origin to 
have been from those of whom the world was not worthy, and who 
suffered the loss of all things for Christ. 

The day is coming when to be one in such a lineage W'ould be 
greater honour than to stand in the line of the Ctesars. 

In conclusion, I would invite the people of this place to remember 
all the way in which the Lord thy God hath hitherto led thee, and you 
will find abundant reason for thanksgiving and praise. " Stand ye in 
the ways and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, 
and ye shall find rest unto your souls." To know when you were the 
most happy, you have only to compare the different portions of your 
history before and since your first Pastor's death. Do you desire 
union? What surer way to obtain it, than to return to your firsl love, and 
do your firs! tvorks ? After walking together in the funeral procession 
of your beloved pastoi', w hat evil angel hovered over you, and scatter- 
ed among you the seeds of discord ? Alas, what a growth of ene^y, 
hatred, jealousy and prejudice has sprung up on every side ? While 
vou inhabit a town second in wealth to but one in the County, do not 
forget those v/ho laid its foundation. Your fathers made their beds 
with the leaves of the forest, and had for their covering the canopy of 
heaven ; and you dwell in your "ceiled house.^," and sleep on down. 
They, with their countrymen, fought and bled in the "tented field," 
and you sit quietly beneath your vines and fig trees. They made sac- 
rifices to establish the gospel ; at an early day enjoyed its precious con- 
solations, died in its faith, and have transmitted the invaluable legacy 
to you, their descendants. Will you receive it ? Are you thankful 
for it ? Or do you spurn it, and pronounce their religion superstition, 
folly ? If you wish to cherish the memory of their virtues you will 
follow their pious example. Their enterprize, their temperance, their 
religion, are worthy your imitation. Counteract, by energy of charac- 
ter and purity of morals, the humiliating remark, that the descendants 
of the first inhabitants usuallv decrenerate. The time is recollected bv 



17 

some, now on the stage, when but two persons in town indulged the 
vulgar and sinful use of profane language. By the virtues of your 
fore-fathers, by due regard for self-respect, by the fearful responsibili- 
ties, arising from moral accountability, I entreat you to fear God and 
keep his commandments. 

Christians, the subject awakens in your hearts a thousand grateful 
recollections. You inherit the Bible and faith of your fathers. You 
will not give them up. You will not exchange " old gold for new tin- 
sel." " You will not hastily receive doctrines essentially different from 
those transmitted you by your fathers, unless they are attested by a. 
piety more deep, and fervent, and by a practice more pure and exem- 
plary." Having seen in many instances, the happy issue of their 
faith, tjou will not launch into the sea of experiment, on which so many 
at this day float, heedless of the breakers in their path, and the rugged 
coast on which they are in imminent danger of being shipwrecked and 
lost. V^ith mournful pleasure, you will reflect on the days of other 
years, when the candle of the Lord shone on the tabernacle of your 
fathers, and when the good Spirit of our God revived his work emnng 
than. The solemn fact that there is a less number of visilde believers 
ia the town than when it contained only .500 people, will cause you 
to weep for the slain of the daughter of Zion, and to pray, " Spare thy 
people, O Lord, and give not thine heritage to reproach." Ycu will 
pause — You will reflect, when such moral degeneracy presents itself to 
view. ^' Awake, mvahe, put on strength, O arm of the Lord; aicahr, ax 
in ancient days, in the igcncrations of old. O Lord, 7xvive thij rrork f;t 
the midst of the Tjears ; in the midst cf the years make Irunvn, iu vcniih 
remember mercy."' 



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